PANAJI
Citing the decision of Bengal's Trinamool Congress (TMC) throwing its hat in Goa's electoral ring, Maharashtra's Shiv Sena too said on Wednesday that it too will contest 22 of the 40 seats in the assembly election due early next year.
"If Bengal’s TMC can contest in Goa, so can Maharashtra’s Shiv Sena," the party's Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut asserted on Wednesday, adding that they will go ahead without any alliance with other parties.
“Shiv Sena will contest 22 seats. We will give it all. We do not want an alliance. Our organisation is strong enough. If Trinamool Congress from Kolkata can contest in Goa, then Maharashtra is right alongside. You have seen how well we have performed in Maharashtra,” Raut said, in an interaction with journalists on Wednesday.
The Shiv Sena has contested the Goa elections several times in the past but never made any headway. Its best performance was in 1994, when it was part of the alliance between Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and fought on two seats -- Saligao and Shiroda.
Sena to fight independently: MP
VASCO:
Insisting that the Shiv Sena would field 22 candidates for the upcoming assembly elections, Shiv Sena MP and Goa State in-charge Sanjay Raut on Wednesday said his party would contest elections independently and would not look for alliances.
Raut was speaking to reporters at the Goa Airport on his arrival in the State, where he was greeted by Goa Shiv Sena State President Jitesh Kamat and a large number of Shiv Sena members.
“As of now, no political party has any plans for Goa and these parties only fool the people to come to power. However, the Shiv Sena, which succeeded to form the government in Maharashtra, will now contest in Goa for the development of the State.”
“As of now, we have not received proposals for an alliance from any parties but we don't have any interest in such alliances and we will contest independently as our party has a strong base in Goa.”
Raut said he would be meeting several new and old political leaders and karyakartas.
Sena to meet sitting, former MLAs: Kamat
VASCO:
Shiv Sena Goa President Jitesh Kamat said the party will have a series of meetings with Goan leaders, present and former legislators, besides planning an election strategy during the visit of Raut in Goa.
“Many parties are indicating that leaders who have lost the confidence and trust of Goans and we feel that Goans have to look for a change this time," said Kamat.
“Raut will attend a programme in Sancoale, where over 100 workers would join the Shiv Sena party. We will also open few constituency offices across the State,” Kamat added.
